Artificial neuromuscular fibers by multilayered coaxial integration with dynamic adaption
Lizhong Dong, Ming Ren, Yulian Wang, Guanghua Wang, Shiqin Zhang, Xulin Wei, Jianfeng He, Bo Cui, Yueran Zhao, Panpan Xu, Xiaona Wang, Jiangtao Di, Qingwen Li
Abstract
Integrating sense in a thin artificial muscle fiber for environmental adaption and actuation path tracing, as a snail tentacle does, is highly needed but still challenging because of the interfacing mismatch between the fiber's actuation and sensing components. Here, we report an artificial neuromuscular fiber by wrapping a carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber core in sequence with an elastomer layer, a nanofiber network, and an MXene/CNT thin sheath, achieving the ingenious sense-judge-act intelligent system in an elastic fiber. The CNT/elastomer components provide actuation, and the sheath enables touch/stretch perception and hysteresis-free cyclic actuation tracing due to its strain-dependent resistance. As a whole, the coaxial structure builds a dielectric capacitor that enables sensitive touchless perception. The key to seamless integration is to use a nanofiber interface that allows the sensing layer to adaptively trace but not restrict actuation. This work provides promising solutions for closed-loop control for future intelligent soft robots.